The Danish Ministry of Defense has decided to delay transferring F-16 fighters to Ukraine for up to six months. A Danish newspaper, Berlingske, reported this shift in plans. Officials had previously promised to deliver the jets by the end of 2023.
“Under the current schedule, the donation is now expected in the second quarter of 2024,” the article notes.
The publication adds that the Danish Ministry of Defense does not want to hand over combat aircraft while Denmark still faces conditions that limit its ability to use the fighters.
“What remains is completing the training of Ukrainian crews who will operate the aircraft after the transfer. The training program depends on several factors, including equipment readiness and weather. In addition, the international Air Force coalition continues its work to provide the necessary logistics and infrastructure in Ukraine,” the official said.
Berlingske reports that six Ukrainian pilots are currently in Denmark for training. There is also a need to train ground crews and build infrastructure at Ukrainian airfields.
Denmark was expected to send eight more F-16s to Ukraine in 2024 and five more in 2025. It remains unclear whether these deliveries will be postponed too.
The publication notes that Denmark is the only country that has specified exact dates and numbers for the aircraft transfers. Norway and Belgium also pledged to supply F-16s, but have not given a precise count or deadline. The Netherlands has promised 18 jets, but officials emphasize that the program depends on export approvals and Ukraine’s ability to operate the aircraft.
Russia’s reaction
In an interview with Yuri Shvytkin, a member of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, the outlet Lentoy.ru quoted him suggesting that Danish officials may delay the deliveries due to internal concerns at home.
“I think the Danish people are pushing their leaders to ensure the country acts for its own interests first, not as a springboard for weakening our state if possible. The population is doing what it can to protect its own citizens,” Shvytkin said.
The MP also claimed that the Russian army is prepared for Ukrainians to receive Western fighters. He contended that whatever equipment the West provides could be neutralized by Russian forces.
Transfer conditions for F-16s
The West conditioned the transfer on Ukraine creating the right conditions for operating the jets. Ukrainian pilots must be ready to use the aircraft. To that end, the first group of 16 Ukrainians was sent to England for training, which lasted about five months and included English aviation terminology. In December, six seasoned pilots from this group traveled to Denmark to continue their training, while ten trainees remained in the UK for ongoing education.
The Washington Post notes that the training of experienced Ukrainian pilots could take about a year, with roughly four months dedicated to specialized aviation vocabulary.
Additionally, Ukraine needs suitable airfields. The F-16 requires runways with high cleanliness and quality due to the engine’s intake position, along with hangars, fuel storage, and a maintenance setup for hydraulic and other systems. A service center is essential since after nearly every flight, maintenance or part replacement may be necessary. While Ukraine plans to adapt existing airfields, building the required infrastructure will take time and substantial funding. In the near term, the jets could be based in Poland or Romania, where established bases exist. Poland even hosts an F-16 maintenance center.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia opposes weapons supplies to Ukraine and views the transfer of F-16s as a direct threat given their potential to carry nuclear weapons. He spoke on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum:
Lavrov also claimed that Russian systems monitoring the aircraft would not be able to distinguish a fighter armed with nuclear weapons from one without.
President Vladimir Putin, at the SPIEF plenary meeting, observed that Western equipment faced destruction if used against Russia, citing recent battlefield losses. The remarks were reported by RIA Novosti.
Russia’s presidential press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, announced that Moscow would not attack F-16 bases in Western countries, but that the jets would face destruction when they operate over Ukrainian territory. TASS reported.